Welcome to all students and parents! I am very excited to be teaching at Fairfax Villa Elementary. I know that this year will be both enjoyable and rewarding. All students in kindergarten through sixth grade come to music twice a week for instruction on a variety of musical concepts to include, singing, rhythm, Orff instruments and musical elements.

Music is a way of knowing. According to Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner (1983), music intelligence is equal in importance to logical - mathematical intelligence, linguistic intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily - kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence. According to Thomas Armstrong (1994,5), "Intelligence is galvanized by participation in some kind of culturally valued activity and that the individual's growth in such an activity follows a developmental pattern; each activity has its own time arising in early childhood." (Dr. Levinowitz, General Music Today)

5 th and 6 th Grade Chorus!

Here at Fairfax Villa Elementary all fifth and sixth graders participate in chorus. Each grade level comes to chorus separately for 45 minutes once a week. While in chorus each student learns important techniques and skills to produce an age appropriate vocal sound.

Over the year these students participate in a variety of vocal opportunities. All fifth and sixth graders perform on at least two concerts each year; Winter Sing-A-Long and Spring Choral Concert.

Fifth graders also use their vocal abilities in the following event(s):

• Medieval Day

Sixth graders also use their vocal abilities in the following event(s):

• Back-to-School Night National Anthem
• All-County Choral Festival
• Spring Musical

”I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.” ~George Eliot